Minnesota Orchestra, SPCO continue contract negotiations

With labor disputes continuing, talks resumed Wednesday between management of the Twin Cities' two principal orchestras and their locked-out musicians.

According to a statement from the Minnesota Orchestra, members of the board's negotiating committee met with representatives of the musicians' union for three hours Wednesday. Later, both sides said negotiations would continue.

Talks between the two sides to forge a new contract began in April but broke down on Sept. 30, and the musicians were locked out the next day, Oct. 1. Performances by the Minneapolis-based orchestra have been canceled through Feb. 10.

Management of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and representatives of its locked-out musicians also met Wednesday to discuss their contract dispute.

In an effort to facilitate a process that now involves a federal mediator, the SPCO and its musicians have agreed not to publicly disclose what transpires in negotiations planned for Wednesday and Thursday.

The SPCO's musicians have been locked out since Oct. 21 after their previous contract expired Sept. 30. SPCO performances have been canceled through Feb. 8.